Embers of Destruction

As they were running down an alley, the guards chasing them caught up fairly quickly.

"It's no use running. You're awfully slow," said Takeshi, his voice cold as he reached out to grab Azare by the neck.

In a desperate attempt to escape, Azare barrel-rolled and dove through an open window of a nearby building.

Edmond and Zion kept running down the alleyway, their footsteps echoing on the stone walls.

Takeshi slowed, contemplating whether to chase the younger redhead and the older man or pursue the child he had almost caught. After a moment of hesitation, he made his decision: Azare.

By the time Takeshi decided, Azare had already reached the main street, sprinting toward the gate.

It wasn't difficult for Takeshi to catch up.

Azare's lungs burned as he sprinted through the streets, but Takeshi was relentless. The assassin's footsteps were silent, like a predator stalking its prey. In an instant, Takeshi tackled Azare, slamming them both onto the cobblestone road.

"Nowhere to run now," Takeshi said, pinning him down.

"Stop!" yelled a man whose voice was familiar to Takeshi. Both men turned to see Clovus approaching from down the road.

"Let him go," Clovus ordered, his tone firm.

"But... sir," Takeshi started, his hesitation clear.

"I said let him go," Clovus repeated, more forcefully this time.

Takeshi stood up, his movements reluctant. Azare, seizing the opportunity, bolted without a second thought.

He knows I can easily catch him, right? thought Takeshi.

Clovus stepped forward. "Listen to me, Takeshi. This is what you're going to do..."

Azare was now outside Celeste, panting as he slowed to a walk. He scanned the area, searching for Edmond and Zion. I hope they aren't in the city, he thought.

The sun was already setting, the light dimming as the world was swallowed by dusk.

After hours of running and walking aimlessly, Azare finally neared the village.

The moon hung high in the sky, casting an eerie glow over his path. Azare, never good with navigation, didn't know the way as well as Edmond, but that night, the stars were his only guide.

As he looked up, his heart sank. The mountains were obscured by thick plumes of smoke. No small fire could cause such devastation.

The sky was painted crimson, the glow of flames dancing on the horizon. Azare's chest tightened as he began to sprint, his legs moving as though they had a mind of their own.

When he arrived at the village, his worst fears were confirmed. Flames engulfed every corner of Emberfall. The heat was unbearable, even from where he stood.

The acrid stench of smoke filled his lungs, and the roar of flames drowned out the desperate cries of the villagers. Emberfall was a sea of fire, devouring everything in its path.

"Help! Someone, help us!"

Two masked figures emerged from the blaze, one holding a bloodied spear, the other gripping a massive battle axe. Both wore the silver armor of the royal guard, their golden trims gleaming in the firelight.

"Azare," said a voice from behind him.

Azare turned to see Edmond, his face pale and stricken with horror.

"What... what has happened here? This can't be real," Edmond said, his voice trembling.

Zion came running up behind them, his voice cracking with desperation.

"Mom! Dad!" he screamed, bolting toward the burning village.

"Wait, Zion!" Edmond yelled, chasing after him.

The masked warrior with the spear turned toward them, his cold gaze locking onto the boy.

Azare's breath caught in his throat as the warrior pulled his arm back, preparing to throw.

"This is for the King," the masked man said, his voice chillingly calm.

The spear left his hand, slicing through the air with a deadly whistle.

"No!" Edmond screamed.

The spear struck Zion in the chest. His small body jerked back, blood spraying into the smoky air. He crumpled, collapsing into Edmond's arms.

"Z-Zion?" Edmond's voice broke as he knelt, cradling the boy. His hands trembled as he pressed them against the wound, trying desperately to stop the bleeding. It was futile.

Zion's breaths came in short, shallow gasps. His wide eyes filled with pain and fear.

Azare stood frozen, his legs like lead. The crackling flames and the villagers' cries faded into the background, drowned out by the pounding of his heart.

"I... I wanted to be like him," Zion whispered, his voice barely audible. A weak smile flickered across his soot-streaked face as tears ran down his cheeks.

Edmond's hands trembled as he stroked Zion's hair. "You're going to be okay, son. Just hold on, please. Please..."

Zion's body went still. His eyes stared blankly at the sky.

"Zion?" Edmond's voice cracked. "No, no, no. Zion!" His cries pierced the night as he held his son close, tears soaking the boy's bloodied tunic.

The masked warrior retrieved his spear with an indifferent pull. "The King sends his regards," he said.

Edmond's grief twisted into rage. He turned to Azare, his face contorted with despair and fury.

"RUN!" he bellowed. "Run, Azare! I can't lose you too!" His voice broke into a whisper as fresh tears streamed down his face. "Please... not you too."

Azare's legs finally obeyed, and he turned, sprinting into the forest. The world blurred around him. Zion's final words echoed in his mind, a haunting refrain he couldn't shake.

He tripped over a vine and fell onto a sharp rock, slicing his forearm open. Pain flared, but he kept running.

Edmond's voice rang in his head, but another voice—soft, haunting—rose above it.

"Azare..."

The voice was faint, like a breeze through the trees, yet it rang clear in his mind. He froze, his heart pounding.

Ahead of him, the altar shimmered, untouched by the flames. A figure cloaked in shadow stood beside it, its eyes like glowing embers.

Azare's body moved toward the altar as though drawn by an unseen force.

He dropped to his knees, blood dripping from his hand onto the cold stone. "Please," he whispered, tears falling freely. "Help me."

The ground trembled. Symbols etched into the altar began to glow, pulsing with an otherworldly light. The air crackled with energy as a vortex of shadows erupted, pulling him in. He barely had time to scream before everything went dark.